Lutherans adopt statement on sexuality
Posted on August 21, 2009
Filed under News
Updated:
“The Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) by a two-thirds majority August 19 approved a theological statement addressing human sexuality, setting the stage for an anticipated vote Friday on whether to allow pastors in committed same-sex relation ships to serve in local congregations…”
– The Episcopal News Service reports on the ECLA’s moves paralleling those of TEC. (The ECLA and TEC are in ‘full communion’.)
See also the voting results and text of ‘Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust’ from the ELCA website.
As the meeting was taking place, a tornado touched down, knocking the cross from the steeple of Central Lutheran Church across the street. It was, of course, nothing more than a coincidence. Or was it? John Piper has some thoughts about what happened in his own town:
“The tornado in Minneapolis was a gentle but firm warning to the ELCA and all of us: Turn from the approval of sin. Turn from the promotion of behaviors that lead to destruction. Reaffirm the great Lutheran heritage of allegiance to the truth and authority of Scripture. Turn back from distorting the grace of God into sensuality. Rejoice in the pardon of the cross of Christ and its power to transform left and right wing sinners.”
Worth reading it all. (Pictures: top – ELCA, bottom – Joe Bjordal.)
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…